Colorado's Scott Takeda catching fire as an actor on the small and big screens

Scott Takeda's first time in front of a camera was as a TV journalist. Today he's often in front of a camera as an actor, with roles in Hollywood films like the Oscar-winning Dallas Buyers Club as well as Halt & Catch Fire , a new series that premiered June 1 on AMC in the Madmen time slot; he'll first appear in the fifth episode as Hirohiko Taketa.

The Colorado native introduces himself as a TV and film actor, but through his own production company he is also a producer, writer and photographer. And sometimes his journalist's role makes a comeback when he's producing a documentary. Above all, though, Takeda identifies himself as a storyteller.

While working as a TV reporter for KUSA Channel 9, among other outlets, Takeda faced an unusual problem. He looked young -- very young. While in his twenties, he could still pass for a high school student. In order to advance his career, he started working behind the camera as a producer. But he continued to want a role where he could be seen.

It wasn't until he heard about an open casting call for Die Hard 2 , which was partly filmed in Colorado, that he started to consider becoming an actor. After moving back to Denver from Philadelphia, he began taking acting classes and found an agent. Now Takeda spends much of his time flying between his home in Colorado and various film locations.

In addition to Halt & Catch Fire, Takeda had a recurring role in the Drop Dead Diva series. He's also in the David Fincher/Ben Affleck film Gone Girl, playing a TV producer. The movie is coming out in October, and don't bother asking Takeda to spoil it for you: Even he isn't sure how the murder mystery ends. "To be perfectly honest, they are so secretive about this I was not given a full script," Takeda says. "I will sit down in my seat at the premiere and watch this and be as surprised as everyone else."

But first, Takeda and his filmmaking partner, Brock Sherman, will again participate in Denver's 48 Hour Film Project this August. Over a two-day span, they'll write, shoot and edit a film; Takeda will also star in it.

Why does Takeda stay in the Mile High City, when Hollywood calls from the West Coast? "You know, it's home. For lack of a better word," Takeda explains. "My close family is here, and then also my extended family is here, too. My lovely bride is here."

And some of his work is, too. Through Takeda Entertainment Incorporated, his production company, he has produced documentaries along with corporate videos. Through it all, the storytelling is the most important aspect. "For me, at a certain point, it doesn't really matter if I'm in front of the camera or behind it," he says. "I'm telling stories visually, and that's really the true passion."